The ordinary world hides its secrets behind smiles and pleasantries. But Rei saw beneath the veil.
The moment he stepped into Kuoh Academy, the spiritual pressure under the surface greeted him like a phantom heartbeat.
He entered the hallway like a shadow slipping between cracks. Yoru followed precisely two steps behind—never more, never less.
He passed students, teachers, paper decorations, but none of them mattered. All of it was static.
Except one.
Rias Gremory sat near the window, sunlight weaving crimson fire through her hair. She didn't need to look to know he'd arrived.
She felt it. A tremor across her lineage. A ripple in the infernal blood.
Their eyes locked.
And for a single breath, both the demon heiress and the spirit-bound anomaly remembered something older than this world—conflict.
Rei's voice was calm when he spoke. "Kazenari Rei. Transfer student."
He sat beside her without waiting for approval.
She didn't challenge him.
The teacher droned on. Equations on the board blurred into background noise.
"You're not from here," Rias whispered, not looking at him.
"Neither are you," Rei replied.
She allowed herself a small smile.
He did not return it.
[System Alert: Target identified. Rias Gremory. Power Signature: Devil-Class. Observation recommended. Status: Non-Hostile. Potential Ally/Threat.]
The rest of the class didn't matter. What mattered was this—she was watching him, not with curiosity, but with calculation. And beneath that?
Fear.
During lunch, Rei walked the school perimeter. He was not hungry. Yoru remained close but silent, her presence so smooth it didn't even register with most of the staff.
Then the air shifted.
[Spiritual Surge Detected. Code: Ember Veil. Host Probability: 68%. Spirit Type: Fire.]
"Rooftop," Rei said.
Yoru nodded.
They ascended the stairwell quietly. At the top, the metal door creaked open—and there she was.
A woman stood alone, her long dark hair fluttering, blazer barely containing her generous curves. She looked out across Kuoh with tired eyes and a cigarette between two fingers.
"You're not supposed to be up here," she said.
"You're leaking spirit energy," Rei answered.
She turned, eyes narrowing.
[Spirit Awakening Threshold: Near. Flame Resonance Detected. Spirit Codename: Hoshino. Personality: Smoldering Onee-san. Subclass: Milf Variant.]
"I'm here to offer a choice," Rei said.
"You're no ordinary student," she murmured.
"I'm worse."
Fire flared in her hand.
"Try me."
Rei raised his hand, and the void responded.
Let the dance of fire and shadow begin.